Dancing Joyfully

" I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out and dance with the joyful." -Jeremiah 31:3-4

This last weekend I had the enormous privilege of being able to march in the Grand Entry of the 38th Annual Montana State University American Indian Council Pow Wow. During the Pow Wow tribes from across the nation are represented as they gather to dance, drum and sing in their traditional tongue wearing their traditional regalia. Honorary members of tribes and their families are recognized. This great celebration of culture, family, values, and dance brought many people and vendors into the MSU Brick Breeden Fieldhouse  for the unique heritage that beats in each of our hearts.  


I have always been interested in the Pow Wow and have gone every year that I have been in Bozeman to watch and celebrate. During my studies at MSU, I took numerous Native American Studies classes and have always enjoyed the study of NativenAmerican culture and how it has changed and is progressing. I grew up on a ranch East of Billings that was leased from the Crow Tribe. My hair is light, my eyes are blue, and my skin is pale, but I have a deep heart for Native American culture. My Great Great Grandfather was a Methodist Missionary to the Nez Perce Tribe in the Northwest and his blood runs through my veins. When I walk into the Fieldhouse, and hear the drums pounding, the passion flowing from the singers,and the life in each dance step, the beauty and greatness of a people group that still celebrates the greatness of their past amidst such devastation overwhelms me. It makes me proud. 

Beautiful Tiny Tot Princesses.

I was allowed to participate in one of the most reverential gatherings for Native American tribes of the year. I got to march with the tribal royalty and was even introduced. I was thanked for being there by many people, and had a few tell me they were so happy to see a PRCA representative there for all the PRCA Indian cowboys, NFR cowboys. I was even asked to participate in two honorary dances. This was so much fun in my chaps! I praise God for this joyful dance! He will restore what has been lost. He is rebuilding a very devastating past with beauty.  I left the Pow Wow with my heart full of the love of many little girls so excited to tell me that they also rodeo, and they were telling me this decked in their gorgeous tribal dresses, carrying on the legacy of the dance for their family. Montana has seven Indian Reservations. 

Some tragic things happened on American soil this week and I have not been able to fully comprehend the implications for us as Americans. As I pray for those whose loved ones have been taken or injured at the hands of pure hatred and selfishness of a terrorist bombing, or an incomprehensible glitch in a system causing an explosion,  I am reminded about how important it is we start unconditionally loving each other. My church also lost a dear dear pastor, Sam Summers, to a brief illness out of the blue this week. Many hearts were ravaged in my community with his passing. At the Celebration of his life, we were able to see the fruit of a man who truly loved as Jesus loved and with thousands in attendance, we were encouraged to live well, live in love, and pursue the higher calling. You never know how far that one smile and joyful greeting you extend will carry someone. We need God to bind up our broken hearts. We need his love to carry us through in our suffering, and thank you Jesus that this promise is sure. 

New cultural ground was broken this last weekend at the Pow Wow, and I am so honored to have been included. This understanding of each other in our uniqueness and the extension of kindness is what will carry humanity forward. Let us dream about how we can better love people everyday. As Sam Summers, would say, "Love is never wrong."

Maggie Yazzie, MSU Pow Wow Princess.
Thank you for letting me march beside you.

 

Mr. Begaye, NFR Cowboy